Also known as: RSF · RSF fighters
Paramilitary force engaged in Sudan's civil war against the military-led government since April 2023, accused of systematic sexual violence and drone strikes in Darfur and Kordofan.
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New Era
Rapid Support Forces is paramilitary force at war with Sudan's army
“the war between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced more than 11 million, and thrust several areas into hunger and famine.”
Nearly 700 killed in Sudan drone strikes this year: UNThe Namibian
Rapid Support Forces imposed a siege on el-Fasher for 18 months
“In some ways the silence was almost as deadly as the violence, Suleiman says. He describes it as "a suffocating feeling because I was watching systematic killings through drone strikes and bombs or deadly killing through the tight siege" imposed on el-Fasher by the RSF for 18 months.”
Three years of messages at once – a chronicle of Sudan's war pours in as trapped reporter's phone turns onThe Namibian
Rapid Support Forces took over el-Fasher city in October last year
“And when the RSF finally took over the city in October last year, "It was like the Day of Judgment on Earth," he says.”
Three years of messages at once – a chronicle of Sudan's war pours in as trapped reporter's phone turns onNew Era
Rapid Support Forces has been at war with Sudan's army since April 2023
“The paramilitary group, which has been at war with Sudan's army since April 2023, was accused last month by the Sudanese military of launching drone attacks "from inside Ethiopian territory", the first public allegation of Ethiopian involvement in the conflict.”
Ethiopia army base used to support Sudan paramilitary: reportNew Era
Rapid Support Forces have been at war with Sudan's army since April 2023
“The strike on Wednesday comes amid an increase in drone attacks by both Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been at war since April 2023.”
Sudan drone strike kills 12, including childrenNew Era
Rapid Support Forces are using sexual violence as a 'weapon of war' in Darfur to control civilians
“Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias are using sexual violence as a "weapon of war" in Darfur to control civilians, medical charity Doctors Without Borders said yesterday.”
RSF using sexual violence in Darfur as ‘war weapon’: MSFNew Era
Rapid Support Forces broke a long-running siege in January
“where the army in January broke a long-running siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).”
‘They never leave’ … Sudanese feel hunted by killer dronesThe Namibian
Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are accused of sexual violence
“The warring parties – Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – are both accused of sexual violence.”
Sexual violence part of ‘everyday life' in parts of Sudan, charity saysThe Namibian
RSF leadership admitted "individual violations" were committed during the takeover of el-Fasher
“The RSF leadership has admitted "individual violations" were committed during the takeover of el-Fasher but says these are being investigated and the scale of atrocities was exaggerated.”
Sexual violence part of ‘everyday life' in parts of Sudan, charity saysThe Namibian
Rapid Support Forces captured el-Fasher after an 18-month siege
“Abu Dhabi's role came under increasing scrutiny after the RSF capture of el-Fasher following an 18-month siege, during which its forces recorded their own mass killings of unarmed people amid widespread accounts of sexual violence and detentions.”
The devastating conflict where both sides have reasons to keep fightingThe UN aid chief reported that nearly 700 civilians were killed in drone strikes in Sudan in the first three months of 2024, as the three-year civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has created what the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over 11 million displaced and nearly 34 million people requiring humanitarian support.
15 April 2026 · New Era →
The UN aid chief reported that nearly 700 civilians were killed in drone strikes in Sudan in the first three months of 2024, as the three-year civil war between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has created what the UN calls the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with over 11 million displaced and nearly 34 million people requiring humanitarian support.
15 April 2026 · New Era →
Mohamed Suleiman, a journalist trapped in Sudan's el-Fasher for three years by a communications blackout during the civil war, finally reached Port Sudan in January and reconnected with the world. His account documents systematic killings, famine conditions, and the inability of the international community to stop the fighting or provide adequate humanitarian aid.
15 April 2026 · The Namibian →
A Yale University research lab's analysis of satellite imagery and open-source data shows that an Ethiopian military base near the Sudanese border is providing support to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has been at war with Sudan's army since April 2023. The researchers identified repeated deliveries of light pickup trucks and heavy weapons to the base that were later observed in RSF operations in Sudan's Blue Nile state, contradicting Ethiopia's denials of involvement in the conflict.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
A drone strike on the paramilitary-controlled town of Kutum in Sudan's North Darfur state has killed 12 civilians, including six children, according to medical sources and local activists. The strike comes amid intensified drone attacks by Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been at war since April 2023.
10 April 2026 · New Era →
Doctors Without Borders reports that Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and allied militias are systematically using sexual violence against civilians in Darfur as a means of control and war weapon. Between January 2024 and November 2025, MSF facilities treated at least 3,396 survivors of sexual violence, 97% of them women and girls, though the organisation warns this figure represents only a fraction of the true scale of atrocities.
1 April 2026 · New Era →
In Sudan's Kordofan region, caught in intense fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, civilians report near-daily drone strikes that have killed hundreds and spread fear, with both sides deploying cheap "kamikaze" drones and advanced strategic weapons supplied by foreign backers. The strikes on markets, hospitals, and homes have driven traders away, caused food shortages, and disrupted aid access in areas already threatened by famine.
31 March 2026 · New Era →
A new Médecins Sans Frontières report based on 3,396 victims treated across Darfur documents rape and sexual assault as a persistent and defining feature of Sudan's civil war, with non-Arab communities systematically targeted and attacks continuing even in areas away from active conflict.
31 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Almost three years into Sudan's conflict between the military-led government and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, a recent commercial flight to Khartoum signals potential normalcy, but the underlying causes of the war remain unresolved. Both sides view the conflict as existential, foreign powers continue supplying weapons, and analysts warn that without comprehensive mediation addressing root causes—including demilitarisation, constitutional reform, and accountability for war crimes—the conflict could drag on for decades and potentially splinter the nation.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Ethiopia's Media Authority revoked the licence of independent online outlet Addis Standard on 24 February, citing violations of media ethics and endangerment of national interests. The action is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom ahead of legislative elections in June, with journalists from Reuters, Deutsche Welle, and BBC also having credentials denied or not renewed in recent months.
26 February 2026 · New Era →
Sudan's civil war has intensified in the gold and oil-rich Kordofan region, with near-daily drone attacks killing civilians and shaping the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Both sides are accused of strikes on civilian infrastructure, and the fighting threatens to widen into a regional conflict as fighting spreads to the Blue Nile region.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Chad shut its eastern border with Sudan "until further notice" as a security measure after fighting in the border town of al-Tina killed at least eight people, with authorities citing repeated incursions by Sudanese armed groups and the spread of Sudan's civil war toward Chadian territory. The closure affects nearly a million Sudanese refugees already in Chad and humanitarian access to Sudan, though exemptions for humanitarian reasons may be granted.
24 February 2026 · The Namibian →
A drone strike blamed on Sudan's Rapid Support Forces killed two children and injured 12 others at a traditional Koranic school in El-Rahad, in the Kordofan region, which has become the fiercest battlefield in the ongoing civil war between the RSF and the regular army since April 2023.
12 February 2026 · New Era →
Somalia's defence minister and his Saudi counterpart signed a military cooperation agreement in Riyadh on Monday, part of broader strategic competition in the Horn of Africa between Gulf monarchies Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
11 February 2026 · New Era →
Sudan's military-led government has returned to Khartoum after nearly three years of operating from Port Sudan following the 2023 civil war outbreak between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The capital, which saw roughly five million residents flee and suffered mass destruction, now faces a lengthy recovery effort as the government pledges to restore electricity, water, healthcare and education services.
13 January 2026 · The Namibian →